Temporary residence permits

Last updated:
24 3 2020

The Swedish Aliens Act governs who is allowed to stay in Sweden. The Swedish Aliens Act entered into force in 2006. The act was temporarily amended on 20 July 2016. The temporary amendment will be in force until 19 July 2021.

What types of residence permits are there?

These are the different types of residence permit:

Temporary residence permit

Permanent residence permit

The temporary amendment means that the majority of applicants receive temporary residence permits.

UR Skola have made a short film that explains the difference between a permanent and a temporary residence permit. The film is in Swedish, with subtitles available in Swedish, Arabic, Kurdish, Persian, Somali and Tigrinya.

What do the different residence permits imply?

Refugee - 3 years

If you have received refugee status you will have a temporary residence permit for three years. After three years you can apply for an extension to your residence permit.

Persons eligible for subsidiary protection - 13 months

If you have received status as a person eligible for subsidiary protection you will have a time-limited residence permit for 13 months. After 13 months you can apply for an extension to your residence permit.

UR Skola have made a short film that explains the difference between the different residence permits. The film is in Swedish, with subtitles available in Swedish, Arabic, Kurdish, Persian, Somali and Tigrinya.